System and method for network-enabled automatic electronic defibrillators

ABSTRACT

A system and method of network-enabled automatic electronic defibrillators (AEDs) may be used to assist with cardiac emergencies. The system includes at least two AEDs positioned in different geographic locations. At least one location-providing tag is positioned on each of the at least two AEDs. A controller is capable of communicating with the location-providing tag of each of the at least two AEDs through at least one network connection. When a cardiac emergency occurs, an AED located nearby may be identified or requested to assist with the emergency.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/674,390, filed Aug. 10, 2017, which application in turn claimspriority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/373,800, filedAug. 11, 2016 and from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/504,993,filed May 11, 2017, the contents of which are incorporated herein byreference.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure is generally related to medical devices and moreparticularly to a system and method for network-enabled automaticelectronic defibrillators (AEDs).

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), which is also known as Sudden Cardiac Death(SCD), is a leading cause of death among adults over the age of 40 inthe U.S., and throughout the world. In the U.S. alone, more than 300,000men and women of all ages experience SCA annually. Tragically, nearlynine out of 10 victims die. In relation to other common lethalconditions, the number of people who die in the US each year from SCA isroughly equivalent to the number of people who die from Alzheimer'sdisease, assault with firearms, breast cancer, cervical cancer,colorectal cancer, diabetes, HIV, house fires, motor vehicle accidents,prostate cancer and suicides combined. Accordingly, it is evident thatSCA is a costly and disruptive medical affliction on our society.

A paramount of medicine is the fact that the steady circulation of bloodis crucial to the proper functioning of the human body. The circulationof blood is governed by the heart, whose expansion and contraction is inturn controlled by a regular pattern of electrical impulses. When thispattern of electrical impulses becomes chaotic or overly rapid, SCA maytake place. Tragically, the victim typically collapses and dies unlesshe or she receives proper medical attention. The most successful therapyfor sudden cardiac arrest is prompt and appropriate defibrillation. Adefibrillator uses electrical shocks to restore the proper functioningof the heart. A crucial component of the success or failure ofdefibrillation, however, is time. Ideally, a victim should bedefibrillated immediately upon suffering a sudden cardiac arrest, as thevictim's chances of survival dwindle rapidly for every minute withouttreatment. In fact, research has determined that the full survival of anout-of-hospital cardiac death is 5-7%, where full survival is understoodas normal brain and heart function, and this statistic has not changedsignificantly in the past 15 years.

While defibrillators are commonplace within medical facilities,automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are increasingly beinginstalled in public places. AEDs are typically located in emergencyresponse vehicles, medical facilities, and many public buildings.Efforts have been made to improve the availability of AEDs, so that theyare more likely to be in the vicinity of sudden cardiac arrest victims.Also, advances in medical technology have reduced the cost and size ofAEDs. Some modern AEDs approximate the size of a laptop computer orbackpack. Even small devices may typically weigh 10 pounds or more.Accordingly, they are increasingly found in public facilities (e.g.,airports, schools, gyms, etc.).

Currently available AEDs, while effective, are still less than ideal formost situations. For example, while AEDs are readily available in publicsettings and are not complicated to use, it has been found thatuntrained bystanders typically cannot, or will not, utilize devices evenwhen they are easily accessible. Even when one does attempt to utilizean AED in a public setting, it can be a challenge to actually locate anAED. Specifically, when a person suffers from SCA in an airport orpublic building in which multiple AEDs have been distributed, thevictim's companion or a stranger would have to locate and run towardsthe nearest AED, pull the device off the wall, and return to thecollapsed victim to render assistance. During that time, preciousminutes may have passed. According to some estimates, the chance ofsurviving a sudden cardiac arrest is 90% if the victim is defibrillatedwithin one minute, but that chance declines by 10% for every minutethereafter. A defibrillator design that reduces the time todefibrillation by even two to three minutes will save more lives.

Despite the increasing presence of AEDs in public places, a centralproblem with combating SCA still remains: approximately 80% of suddencardiac arrests occur at a private home or residence, not at a publicbuilding. Until AEDs are readily available for use in generally privateplaces, such as homes and in cars, their effectiveness will remainsignificantly limited. More specifically, until AEDs are designed to beconveniently and regularly carried by non-professional rescuers, and aredesigned for quick, uncomplicated use, the effectiveness of AEDs mayremain limited.

Thus, there exists a need to make AEDs accessible such that they can bewidely used in home settings by untrained, first-time users.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a system and method ofnetwork-enabled automatic electronic defibrillators. Briefly described,in architecture, one embodiment of the system, among others, can beimplemented as follows. At least two AEDs are positioned in differentgeographic locations. At least one location-providing tag is positionedon each of the at least two AEDs. A controller is capable ofcommunicating with the location-providing tag of each of the at leasttwo AEDs through at least one network connection.

In such embodiment, the system may be characterized by one or more ofthe following features:

-   -   (a) where the at least one location-providing tag further        comprises at least one of: a RFID chip, a GPS chip, and a NFC        chip;    -   (b) where the at least one network connection further comprises        at least one of: a wireless network, a hardwired network, a WiFi        network, and a Bluetooth network;    -   (c) where the at least one location-providing tag provides a        location of one of the at least two AEDs based on a network        identification through which the at least one location-providing        tag communicates with the controller;    -   (d) where the network identification further comprises at least        one of: a MAC address, an identifier string, a WiFi network ID,        and a cellular network;    -   (e) where the controller further comprises a display having a        map, wherein at least a portion of the at least two AEDs are        displayable on the map;    -   (f) where the controller is capable of communicating with a        human individual associated with at least one of the at least        two AEDs with an electronic message;    -   (g) where the electronic message is a text message transmitted        to portable electronic communication device of the human        individual requesting use of the associated at least one AED to        the human individual;    -   (h) where communication between the controller and the        location-providing tag of each of the at least two AEDs further        comprises at least one of: a status ping transmitted at        predetermined intervals, wherein the status ping identifies at        least one of a functioning state and geographic location of the        at least two AEDs; a changed location status ping communicated        when a geographic location of the at least two AEDs is changed;        an alert message communicating a notification of a medical        emergency to a human individual associated with one or more of        the at least two AEDs; and an alert message communicating a        notification of a medical emergency to a medical care provider;    -   (i) where the at least one location-providing tag is in        communication with a wearable health sensor, wherein data of the        wearable health sensor is communicated to the controller when        the data identifies an abnormal medical emergency; and    -   (j) where at least a portion of the at least two AEDs is mobile.

The present disclosure can also be viewed as providing methods oflocating an automatic electronic defibrillator (AED) for use in acardiac emergency. In this regard, one embodiment of such a method,among others, can be broadly summarized by the following steps:identifying a geographic location of a plurality of AEDs using at leastone geographic-locating tag connected to each of the plurality of AEDs,respectively; communicatively connecting the plurality of AEDs to acontroller using the at least one geographic-locating tag and at leastone network; and locating at least one of the plurality of AEDs inresponse to the cardiac emergency, wherein the at least one of theplurality of AEDs is positioned near a location of the cardiacemergency.

In such embodiment, the method may be characterized by one or more ofthe following features and/or steps:

-   -   (a) where the at least one geographic-locating tag further        comprises at least one of: a RFID chip, a GPS chip, and a NFC        chip;    -   (b) where the at least one network connection further comprises        at least one of: a wireless network, a hardwired network, a WiFi        network, and a Bluetooth network;    -   (c) identifying the geographic location of the plurality of AEDs        based on a network identification of the network, wherein the        network identification further comprises at least one of: a MAC        address, an identifier string, a WiFi network ID, and a cellular        network;    -   (d) using a graphical display having a map, wherein the        identified geographic location of at least a portion of the        plurality of AEDs is displayable on the map;    -   (e) communicating with a human individual associated with at        least one of the plurality of AEDs with a text message        transmitted to portable electronic communication device of the        human individual; and    -   (f) communicating between the controller and the        location-providing tag of each of the plurality of AEDs by:        transmitting a status ping at predetermined intervals, wherein        the status ping identifies at least one of a functioning state        and geographic location of the plurality of AEDs; transmitting a        changed location status ping when a geographic location of the        plurality of AEDs is changed; transmitting an alert message        having a notification of a medical emergency to a human        individual associated with one or more of the plurality of AEDs;        and transmitting an alert message having a notification of a        medical emergency to a medical care provider.

Embodiments of the present disclosure also provide a network-enabledfirst aid system. Briefly described, in architecture, one embodiment ofthe system, among others, can be implemented as follows. A plurality offirst aid kits each have an automatic electronic defibrillator (AED) andeach connected to a control station using communication networks. Amessage is transmitted from the control station to at least a portion ofthe plurality of first aid kits, wherein the message requests use of theAED within the portion of the plurality of first aid kits, wherein inresponse to the message, one of the plurality of first aid kits istransported to a location of a cardiac emergency.

In yet another embodiment of the disclosure, a plurality of AEDs arelocated within a residential community, typically in homes of trainedvolunteers who agree to monitor the AED readiness, e.g. periodicallycheck battery, and upon notification of a cardiac emergency in theirarea, if in the neighborhood, rush their AED to assist a victim until anEMS team arrives. Notification of a cardiac emergency is communicated tothe volunteers electronically, either through a dedicated alert system,or via telephone. In such cases, a call placed to 911 would trigger amessage to send an available EMS team to the victim, and simultaneouslyor sequentially send messages to the volunteers in the neighborhood. Themessages the volunteer receive will include the address of theemergency. In many cases, due to their physical proximity to the victim,the volunteers may be expected to arrive to the victim before the EMSteam, so that the volunteers may begin providing timely AED supportuntil the EMS team arrives.

In yet another alternative embodiment, AEDs also may be located inneighborhoods in public locations. In order to protect the AEDs the AEDspreferably are held in lock boxes which automatically unlock when anelectronic signal is sent simultaneously or sequentially with notices tovolunteers and the EMS team. The lock boxes then may remain unlocked fora short period of time, for example, 5 to 8 minutes to permit volunteerto access the AED, and bring it to the victim. If an AED is removed, thelock box may be programmed to remain unlocked until the AED is returned,whereupon the lock box may automatically relock, e.g. by sensing thepresence of the barcode on the AED case when the AED is returned to thelock box. Alternatively, the lock box may be triggered to relock eitherby remote control, or by the person returning the AED to the lockbox. Ina preferred embodiment, the lock box also may include solar cells formaintaining a charge on the AED battery and/or communication equipmentand also to power the lock, and/or to power heating and/or coolingdevices for maintaining the interior of the lock box and the containedAED at optimal operating temperature.

Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the presentdisclosure will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art uponexamination of the following drawings and detailed description. It isintended that all such additional systems, methods, features, andadvantages be included within this description, be within the scope ofthe present disclosure, and be protected by the accompanying claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Many aspects of the disclosure can be better understood with referenceto the following drawings. The components in the drawings are notnecessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearlyillustrating the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, in thedrawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding partsthroughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatical illustration of view illustration of a systemof network-enabled automatic electronic defibrillators, in accordancewith a first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatical illustration of the system of network-enabledautomatic electronic defibrillators, in accordance with the firstexemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatical illustration of an AED with ageographical-locating device, in accordance with the first exemplaryembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method of locating an AED for usein a cardiac emergency, in accordance with the first exemplaryembodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatical illustration of a network of AEDs located inhomes of volunteers in accordance with a second embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic view similar to FIG. 5, of a residentialneighborhood in which AEDs are located in public areas; and

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating a method of using an AED inaccordance in a cardiac emergency, in accordance with a secondembodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

To improve upon the survivability of SCA in a home setting or anothernon-medical setting, a system of network-enabled AEDs is envisioned toallow access to a nearby AED during the event of a cardiac emergency. Byknowing the location of existing AEDs in a given geographical region,and organizing the ability to communicate with others to gain access toan AED when a cardiac emergency occurs, the survivability of SCA can begreatly improved. One goal of the subject disclosure is to find a way tomake AEDs available in as many locations as possible, which is wherethey are needed most, and enable consumers to use them with confidence.This can be accomplished by creating a “safe home architecture” thatrequires collaboration by a partnership of existing manufacturers;services that provide broadband entertainment, security, and medicalmonitoring services to millions of residences; cell phone networks;smartphone application developers; emergency service providers; andconsumers and their families and friends.

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatical illustration of a system of network-enabledautomatic electronic defibrillators 10, in accordance with a firstexemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Specifically, FIG. 1illustrates an example of the “safe home architecture” where an AED 20located in a home 22 or another non-medical setting can be available tousers in the area, such as to neighbors 24. As shown, the AED 20 may bein communication with various devices, such as cellular telephones 32and landline telephones 34, which in turn may be in communication with acontroller 50. The communication between the devices and the controller50 may be enabled by networks using known communication protocols, suchas WiFi and/or Bluetooth, which may utilize hardware such as routers 30.All of these components and networks together allow for the AED 20 to becapable of communication with the controller 50 and with third parties,such as an emergency help desk 52, Emergency Medical Services 54, andfamily members 56 of a patient, all of which may be able to receivecommunications through a monitoring service 58.

In use, when a cardiac emergency occurs, the system 10 is capable ofidentifying the location of an AED 20 which is closest or mostaccessible to the patient suffering from the cardiac emergency. Forexample, upon notification of the cardiac emergency, the controller 50may be used to quickly identify the location of nearby AEDs 20, forexample, by displaying the locations on a map of a display or GUI withinthe controller. Electronic messages may be sent to the AEDs 20 which areclosest or most accessible to the patient. The electronic messages maybe transmitted through the various communication networks and to the AED20 itself, or to communication devices (cellular phones 32, landlinephone 34, etc.) carried or accessible to nearby people who could assistwith bringing an AED to the location of the patient in need.Accordingly, the system 10 may be founded on an already installed baseof AEDs 20 and future AEDs by connecting all AEDs 20 within thecommunity, creating an environment connecting neighbors in need withneighbors who have AEDs.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatical illustration of the system of network-enabledautomatic electronic defibrillators 10, in accordance with the firstexemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is adiagrammatical illustration of an AED with a geographical-locatingdevice, in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure. As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of AEDs 20 are connected toa network 18 which is connected to the controller 50. Each of theplurality of AEDs 20 may reside in or near a particular setting, such asa house or building, a car or other vehicle, and/or carried by a person.Each AED 20 may have a geographical-locating device 60 connected theretowhich enables the controller 50 to determine a location of the AEDs 20.

The geographical-locating device 60 may be, for example, an RFID chip, aGPS chip, a NFC chip, or another known locating device. Thegeographical-locating device 60 may also be in communication with a cellphone 32, a router 30 of a local area network (LAN), or othercommunication device of an individual who is near the AED 20 or hasaccess to it. The use of the geographical-locating device 60 on each AED20 may be important to successfully using the system 10. It is necessaryto know the location of the AEDs 20 at any given time, including whenthe AED 20 is needed in an emergency and when AEDs 20 are standing by innon-emergency situations. In one example, each AED 20 may have an activeRFID chip attached so it can periodically register its location.Typically, AEDs are not moved, other than when used. Therefore, periodiclocation transmissions, e.g., hourly, may be sufficient, and can saveenergy, particularly, when running on battery power. The location may beprovided by a MAC address or an identifier string associated with aresidential LAN or other network through which the AED 20 iscommunicating.

The geographical-locating device 60 may be registered and accessible viaWiFi at a unique WiFi residence. It is possible for the controller toping (transmit a short message) to any number of AED 20 devices deployedto show all responding points on a map 62 of the controller 50, witheach geographical-locating device 60 showing up as a locator node on themap 62. Other features, such as a control panel 64 may also be providedin the controller 50 to assist with identifying a location of an AED.Thus, it may be easy to show the location of the inventory of AEDs.Further, it is possible to identify the location using only shortmessages using very low bandwidth, no API, and no computing. Eachgeographical-locating device 60 may only need to be locatable or not ona map display 62 of the controller 60, but it is also possible for thelocation of the AED 20 to also be visible at other places, such as onthe cell phones 32 of nearby individuals.

When a SCA event occurs, the controller 50 may transmit a messagethrough the network and to the AEDs 20. In one of many alternatives, thecontroller 50 may transmit a message through the network and directly tothe cell phone 32 or other communication device of a human individualwho can assist with the AED 20 usage. Upon receipt of the message, theAED 20 and/or the cell phone 32 or other communication device may soundan alarm or provide another alert to indicate the need for the AED 20 tobe used. The alarm or alert may include additional information about thesituation, such as the location of the patient suffering from the SCA,contact information of the patient or another party assisting with theSCA, instructions on how to navigate to the location of the patient,information about other, nearby AEDs which have also been requested toassist with the patient, and other information that may be used to helpwith the emergency.

To assist with achieving the goals of the subject disclosure, it isdesirable for manufactures of AEDs to make their devices moreaffordable, more portable, and less intimidating to use. As taughtwithin the system 10, the AED may connect via Bluetooth, wireless, orother means to enable them to be located. Additionally, it is possibleto use the same communication networks to achieve other tasks relativeto the AEDs, such as monitor a battery status and to send alerts whenthey are activated. This can be accomplished by the manufacturers or byattaching RFID or other add-ons to them.

To help achieve the goal of the subject disclosure, home broadband,security, and medical monitoring services can put in place the abilityto connect to AEDs and communicate with the devices and their users. Anemergency call center staffed with trained medical personnel shouldautomatically be connected to lead users through the steps to ensurethat AEDs are used promptly and correctly when warranted. When an AED isactivated, alerts will automatically be transmitted to emergency serviceproviders such as ambulance services or fire departments. Alerts alsoshould be enabled for family, friends, and neighbors.

Wireless networks should be prepared to play a similar role,particularly in the unlikely case that broadband service is notavailable. AEDs should connect via Bluetooth or wireless to smartphones.The smartphones can have applications that can also recognize theactivation of an AED, contact emergency call centers and emergencyservices and guide users through the steps involved in ensuringsuccessful use of the device. It is also possible that AEDs could bebundled into home broadband or security and medical monitoring services,for example, and leased much in the same way that broadband providersnow lease modems to their subscribers. This option may be moreattractive to consumers than outright purchase of a device.

Application developers readily can produce software for smartphones withthe functionality described above. They should be able to interact withAEDs, connect users to emergency services, and provide guidance to AEDusers in emergency situations. These applications are important to thesystem 10 architecture. It is also envisioned that the system 10architecture can be made mobile and extended to medical serviceproviders like MDs, RNs, and medical students; public servants likepolicemen, security guards, park rangers; public transportation vehicleslike taxis and postal trucks and many more. Also, 3^(rd) party groupsand organizations such as home security networks, homeownerassociations, condo complexes, and hotels are a market for thesedevices. Accordingly, with a call from the management of a large homeowners association due to an emergency that requires an AED, theup-to-date closest residences with AEDs or other medical kits can bereadily identified and summoned by a software driven text message ifthey are within a close distance of the patient in need of the AED.Overall, the community in which the system 10 is used will end up beingsafer due to the ability to harness the benefit of volunteer citizenswho have opted to participate and lend medical assistance when needed. Asimilar concept could be applied to any other community, such as officebuildings, malls, theme parks, etc.

It is further noted that the same system architecture can extend toother medical emergencies beyond those involving an AED. For example,nearby assistance can be requested for emergencies involving snake bite,acute asthma, anaphylactic shock, chest pains, etc., by contactingindividuals who may be able to assist.

Additionally, it is noted that geographical-locating device 60 discussedherein also may be adapted to be a sensor by providing a button to sendan alert message of a suspected cardiac incident. In this way, the AEDon which the geographical-locating device 60 is connected becomes ameans of communication which requires very low bandwidth and essentiallyno computing power. In a similar aspect, the geographical-locatingdevice 60 may be associated with other sensors relating to heart health,such as wearable sensors of heart rate or heart rhythm, and relay healthinformation to the controller 50 or a medical monitoring service when amedical emergency is suspected, i.e., if data is beyond a normalthreshold. It is further possible for the geographical-locating device60 to be mobile and used in cars, public transportation, watercraft, andother vehicles. For example, the geographical-locating device 60 may beoutfitted with connectivity to car onboard diagnostic (OBD) port so itis possible to track the location of the AED 20 as it changes locations.In another example, if a person with an AED 20 leaves home and bringsthe AED in a car, it is possible to track the AED 20 as a mobiletrackable asset. Furthermore, it is possible to integrate thegeographical-locating device 60 with an AED 20 via an API by amanufacture of the AED at a design stage, or it may be possible toretrofit existing AEDs 20 with a geographical-locating device 60.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart 100 illustrating a method of locating an AED foruse in a cardiac emergency, in accordance with the first exemplaryembodiment of the disclosure. It should be noted that any processdescriptions or blocks in flow charts should be understood asrepresenting modules, segments, portions of code, or steps that includeone or more instructions for implementing specific logical functions inthe process, and alternate implementations are included within the scopeof the present disclosure in which functions may be executed out oforder from that shown or discussed, including substantially concurrentlyor in reverse order, depending on the functionality involved, as wouldbe understood by those reasonably skilled in the art of the presentdisclosure.

As is shown by block 102, a geographic location of a plurality of AEDsis identified using at least one geographic-locating tag connected toeach of the plurality of AEDs, respectively. The plurality of AEDs arecommunicatively connected to a controller using the at least onegeographic-locating tag and at least one network (block 104). At leastone of the plurality of AEDs is located in response to the cardiacemergency, wherein the at least one of the plurality of AEDs ispositioned near a location of the cardiac emergency (block 106).

The system may further include any number of additional steps,functions, or variations. For example, the at least onegeographic-locating tag further comprises at least one of: a RFID chip,a GPS chip, and a NFC chip, and the at least one network connection mayfurther comprises at least one of: a wireless network, a hardwirednetwork, a WiFi network, and a Bluetooth network. The use of the atleast one of the plurality of AEDs may be requested with an electronicmessage to assist with the cardiac emergency. The geographic location ofthe plurality of AEDs may be identified based on a networkidentification of the network, wherein the network identificationfurther comprises at least one of: a MAC address, an identifier string,a WiFi network ID, and a cellular network. A graphical display having amap may be used to display the identified geographic location of theplurality of AEDs. Further, it may be desirable to communicate with ahuman individual associated with at least one of the plurality of AEDswith a text message transmitted to portable electronic communicationdevice of the human individual. Additional communication may includemessages transmitted between the controller and the location-providingtag of each of the plurality of AEDs, such as by transmitting a statusping at predetermined intervals, wherein the status ping identifies atleast one of a functioning state and geographic location of theplurality of AEDs, by transmitting a changed location status ping when ageographic location of the plurality of AEDs is changed, by transmittingan alert message having a notification of a medical emergency to a humanindividual associated with one or more of the plurality of AEDs, and/orby transmitting an alert message having a notification of a medicalemergency to a medical care provider.

Various changes may be made in the above invention without departingfrom the spirit and scope thereof For example, rather than physicallytagging the AED's, the location of the AED's may be “electronically”tagged by mapping. Also, it is not necessary to pinpoint the location ofthe AEDs. Rather, it is sufficient to communicate with a humanindividual in the house hold associated with the AED.

Still other modifications are contemplated. For example, referring toFIG. 5, in another embodiment of the present disclosure, AEDs 120 arelocated in selected homes 122 of trained volunteers. Homes 122 arescattered through a neighborhood 124 essentially to provide geographiccoverage of the entire neighborhood. As used herein “homes” may bedetached homes, common wall homes, apartments, etc.

In this scenario, each volunteer agrees to monitor the AED's readiness(battery status, etc.) and, if they are home, to respond to cardiacemergencies in their neighborhood. Volunteers are alerted to cardiacemergencies via text messages to their smart phones 126A or dedicatedreceivers 126B sent by central emergency dispatcher 128, typically a 911call center. In practice, an emergency call made to a 911 call centerwill be screened by a 911 operator 130, and if coded as a possiblesudden cardiac arrest (SCA), trigger messages to nearby emergencypersonnel, i.e., an EMS team 134, and simultaneously or shortlythereafter, i.e., within a minute or less, send messages to localvolunteers 132. Signals would include the address where the SCA victimis located. Inasmuch as the neighborhood volunteers 132 typically willbe located closer to the site of the SCA victim 136, it is expected thelocal volunteers 132 will reach the SCA victim 136 sooner than the EMSteam 134, and begin treatment. Once the EMS team 134 reaches the SCAvictim 136, the volunteer can then hand off the care to the EMS team.Under normal circumstances, it is expected the volunteers will reach theSCA victim ahead of the EMS team, thereby increasing the possibility ofa timely response, and survival.

Referring to FIG. 6, rather than locate AEDs 120 within households, orin addition to locating AED's within households, the AEDs 120 also couldbe scattered around communities in secure outdoor lockboxes 150. In suchcase, when an emergency occurs, the 911 operator would communicate notonly with trained volunteers 132 in the neighborhood, but also send asignal 152 to temporarily unlock the lockboxes 150 giving the trainedvolunteers 132 time to fetch the AED 120 and rush the AED to the SCAvictim. As a practical matter, the lockbox 150 would need to be leftunlocked for just a few minutes, e.g., five to eight minutes unless theAED 120 was removed. However, if the AED 120 is removed, the lockbox 150may remain unlocked until the AED 120 is returned, whereupon the lockbox150 may automatically relock by sensing the return of the AED, e.g., bya barcode reader or the like. Alternatively, volunteers may be providedwith keys or dongles or the like for unlocking the lockboxes. Thelockbox may be triggered to relock either by a signal from the 911 callcenter, or by a volunteer returning the AED to the lock box.

In the case of the lockbox embodiment, the lockbox preferably mayinclude one or more solar cells 152 for charging an internal battery 154for a communication device 156 and also to power an electronic lock 158.Lockbox 150 also may include heating and/or cooling devices 160 formaintaining the interior of the lockbox 150 within a temperature rangefor optimal performance of the AED 120.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart 200 illustrating a method of alerting trainedoperators with automatic electronic defibrillators to a cardiacemergency in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of thedisclosure. It should be noted that any process descriptions or blocksin flowcharts should be understood as representing modules, segments,portions of code, or steps that include one or more instructions forimplementing specific logical functions in the process, and alternativeimplementations are included within the scope of the present disclosurein which functions may be executed out of order from that shown ordiscussed, including substantially concurrently or in reverse order,depending on the functionality involved, as will be understood by thosereasonably skilled in the art of the present disclosure. As shown byblock 202, an emergency call is made to 911. If the 911 operatordetermines the emergency to be a cardiac event, the 911 operator sendsan alert to 911 operator (block 204) advising the location of thevictim. Simultaneously, or shortly thereafter, the 911 operator sends asimilar alert to neighborhood volunteers block 206 advising theneighborhood volunteers of the cardiac event and the location of thevictim. Also, in the case of a community in which AEDs are scattered inpublic lock boxes, a signal is sent to the lock boxes (block 208)unlocking the lock box, and also providing an address of the victim. Atthe same time, other trained volunteers also may be alerted of thecardiac event and the address of the victim (block 210). Such volunteersmay pick up an AED at the public lock box 208, and from there rush tothe victim to assist until the EMS team arrives.

Still other changes are possible. Accordingly, as used herein, and inthe following claims, the term “location-providing tag positioned on orconnected to each of the AEDs” is intended to include both a physicaltag on or associated with the AED, an electronic app or map showing thelocation of the AED, or a cell phone or other communication deviceassociated with a person or persons living in a home where the AED isphysically located.

It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of thepresent disclosure, particularly, any “preferred” embodiments, aremerely possible examples of implementations, merely set forth for aclear understanding of the principles of the disclosure. Many variationsand modifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) ofthe disclosure without departing substantially from the spirit andprinciples of the disclosure. All such modifications and variations areintended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure andthe present disclosure and protected by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An emergency first aid response system foralerting trained neighborhood volunteer operators to collect a first aidkit and deliver the first aid kit to a victim requiring first aidassistance, comprising: at least two first aid kits held under secureconditions in different geographic locations in a neighborhoodcommunity; a central emergency dispatch hub configured to send anemergency alert to the trained neighborhood volunteer operators and tocommunicate with the trained neighborhood volunteer operators and alertthe trained neighborhood volunteer operators of the neighborhood firstaid emergency and a location of a nearby first aid kit and the locationof a victim requiring first aid assistance.
 2. The system of claim 1,wherein the at least two first aid kits are held in lockboxes, whereinthe lockboxes are configured to unlock automatically upon receiving asignal from the central emergency dispatch hub or from a trainedneighborhood volunteer operator in a vicinity of the lockbox and toremain unlocked for a period of time after receiving a signal and thenrelock automatically, or remain unlocked if a first aid kit is removedand not returned.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the centralemergency dispatch hub is configured to communicate to the trainedneighborhood volunteer operators via a smart phone or dedicatedreceiver.
 4. The system of claim 2, wherein the lockboxes include one ormore solar cells.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the centralemergency dispatch hub is configured to simultaneously communicate withthe trained neighborhood volunteer operators and an EMS team.
 6. Thesystem of claim 2, wherein additional first aid kits are located inresidences of one or more of the trained neighborhood volunteeroperators.
 7. The system of claim 2, wherein the lockboxes each includea heater and/or cooler for heating or cooling the interior of thelockbox.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the first aid kits includeautomatic external defibrillators.
 9. A method for improving responsetime for dispatching emergency aid to a victim requiring first aidassistance, comprising, providing an emergency response system asclaimed in 1, and alerting trained neighborhood volunteer operators of afirst aid emergency and a location of a nearby first aid kit and thelocation of the victim.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the trainedneighborhood volunteer operators are alerted via a network selected froma wireless network, a hardwired network and a WiFi network.
 11. Themethod of claim 9, wherein the trained neighborhood volunteer operatorsare alerted via a smart phone.
 12. The method of claim 9, wherein thetrained neighborhood volunteer operators are alerted at the same time orshortly thereafter the central emergency dispatch hub alerts an EMSteam.